Want to use herbal extracts … but not if they're made with alcohol? Judy B. is in the same boat…
Hi, Wardee. You've talked about alcohol-based herbal tinctures, and I would love to make and use these but I've got small children. Is it possible to make alcohol-free herbal tinctures? Thank you so much.
Herbal extracts are arguably the most potent way to deliver the healing and balancing benefits of herbs to our bodies.
And alcohol is a powerful extractor of those benefits. (I showed you how to make your own here, and save a bundle!)
Yet, what if you can't or don't want to consume alcohol — or give it to your kids?
Are you out of luck? Absolutely not!
Because… you can make a glycerin-based, alcohol-free herbal extract — also known as an herbal glycerite.
In today's #AskWardee, we're going to talk about the benefits of glycerin-based extracts and how easy they are to make!
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that I'm not a doctor and can't give medical advice, so everything I share today is from our own experience and what has worked for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions about how to treat any illness. God bless you!
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The Question:
Judy B. asks:
Hi, Wardee. You've talked about alcohol-based herbal tinctures, and I would love to make and use these but I've got small children. Is it possible to make alcohol-free herbal tinctures? Thank you so much.
Yes, You Can Make Alcohol-Free Herbal Tinctures — And They're Super Easy!
Although they aren't quite as potent or long-lasting as alcohol-based tinctures, glycerites are a great option for families. Why?
They're faster to make. While an alcohol-based tincture will take 6 to 8 weeks, a glycerin-based, non-alcoholic herbal extract takes just 3 days.
They taste better because they're sweet. Which means kids often love taking them — instead of complaining about them! (This is because of the glycerin base — read more about that below.)
And, last but not least — you can save a bundle by making your own! Katie Mae Stanley, one of our contributing writers says:
Making your own herbal glycerite may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Homemade glycerites are also much easier on the pocketbook. Store-bought ones are easily $8 dollars per 4-ounce bottle, while it costs $8 to make an entire quart or more of the homemade stuff.
So, considering that they're faster to make, alcohol-free, taste better, and it's cheaper to make your own — homemade glycerites are the way to go for many people. Especially when kids are involved. 😉
A Bit About Glycerin
Quoting from The Bulk Herb Store about their sweet-tasting non-GMO and palm-derived glycerin (the type I buy and the base for my glycerites):
Glycerine (or glycerol) is a natural component of all fats and oils. When fats are digested in the body, they are broken down into fatty acids and glycerine. Hence, glycerine is a non-toxic, natural food substance. It is also a good solvent of herbal constituents and a preservative. To top it off, glycerine is also sweet tasting but does not cause blood sugar problems. This glycerine is Kosher, non-GMO, and Halal Certified. It is generated exclusively from vegetable-based sources and has many uses. —Bulk Herb Store
How To Make Alcohol-Free Herbal Tinctures (aka Glycerites)
I've been promising it's really easy to make these — and it really is!
I've got the whole recipe written down for you here.
Here's a quick summary…
- Put herbs in jar about 1/2 way. Fill to the top with glycerine.
- Cover and put in slow cooker (or Instant Pot with slow cooker feature) that's lined with a towel and filled with water — run on low for 3 days.
- Remove and strain. Done!
Easy, right?
Again, go here for the full instructions. You'll find more details about jar sizes, configurations, and how to strain the herbs really good (so you don't waste any thick glycerine tincture).
Our Best Tinctures
Things come up in the family and I think to myself, “I bet there's a tincture for that!” Sure enough, there usually is. 😉
Sometimes I have to make it right then and there (after doing some research) — and glycerites take just 3 days.
Not too bad…
But lately I'm all about stocking up on the tinctures that are going to help with daily life, illness, and things that we just know come up in our family.
(Disclaimer: On all these, I'm just sharing our experience, not giving medical advice.)
I make a feverfew and white willow bark glycerin extract that's been so helpful for preventing and handling headaches and migraines, among other things.
I'm also making glycerites out of adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens are a special class of herbs that help with stress, vitality, and overall balancing of your body. They're fascinating and powerful!
For more information on adaptogens, check out this eBook:
Helpful Links
- How To Make An Herbal Tincture (Alcohol-Based)
- Non-GMO, palm-derived glycerin
- How To Make An Alcohol-Free Herbal Extract {Herbal Glycerite}
- Where to buy feverfew
- Where to find white willow bark
- The Beginner's Guide to Adaptogens eBook by Heather Dessinger
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Do you make herbal glycerites? Which herbs really work for your family?
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that I'm not a doctor and can't give medical advice, so everything I share today is from our own experience and what has worked for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions about how to treat any illness, including a cold. God bless you!
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Tinctures made this way,same way I do spearmint and peppermint. To make lavender oil I use method from early days. Grind leaves and flowers.put in mason jar with canola oil . Cook in sun for 30days. Strain and store in dark containers in cool basement.for misting spray,I put a few drops in spraybottle with vodka,which evaporates and leaves the lavender essence without the door of vodka. If u use alcohol u can smell the alcohol. Lavender oil is good for all the other reasons I am sure u all know about. Ps, I grow my butterfly and English lavender near my entrance doors as it keeps mosquitoes away.
Ive never understood how the glycerite is ready in 3 days compared to the tincture. It seems its in no way as strong as the tincture. Which would explain why Trilight’s glycerites have such large dosing on the bottles. Still I dont know that its comparable to taking a tinctured herb even at the incredibly high dosages.
Helene ~ Alcohol IS a better extractor of the herb’s properties. Glycerine is a good option for those who can’t/don’t want alcohol. Better something than nothing, right? Even so, I have had great results with glycerine tinctures – they do work IMO.
Do you have a post on how to use these and what dosages to use?
Beth Ann ~ I’m sorry, I can’t give advice like that. 🙁
I made three tinctures over the holiday weekend. This video helped tremendously.
On another note, I can’t find the link to the tea bags you showed in the video. Could you direct me to where you found them. Thanks in advance.
I think maybe I’m remembering wrong. Maybe it was the sourdough episode. I will check there too. Thanks.
Hi Emily,
It’s from #AskWardee #56: http://traditionalcookingschool.com/2017/01/04/how-to-convert-slow-cooker-recipes-to-pressure-cooker-aw056/
Here’s the link to the tea bags: http://amzn.to/2hRjqco
🙂
Millie
Traditional Cooking School Support